Prayer in school debate 'heated'

The role of religion and faith in America's culture sparked a heated debate Tuesday night.

The debate, sponsored by the Young Conservatives of Texas, was held in the Barfield Drawing Room before a crowd of nearly 150 students.

'I am asking you to do a gut check against your basic concepts of freedom,' said State Rep. Rick Green (R-Dripping Springs). Green told students that he disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision to outlaw prayer in public schools.

'The courts have handed down this decision based upon a faulty understanding of the separation of church and state,' Green said. He argued that even ceremonial prayers are important to students because they express freedom of religion and recognize that there is a Creator.